The following table contextualizes the ideological groups evaluated by Ibn Abi al-Izz around this section of the text: Theological Group Definition of Faith ( Iman ) Position on Actions ( Amal ) Verdict on Minor/Major Sins Heart, tongue, and physical actions. A core, foundational component of faith. Faith increases/decreases; sinners remain Muslim. Ahl al-Sunnah (Hanafi) Heart conviction and tongue affirmation. A necessary requirement, but separate from definition. Faith is stationary in essence; sinners remain Muslim. Murji'ah (Extreme) Only knowledge or belief in the heart. Actions have zero bearing on salvation. Sins cause absolutely no harm to a person's faith. Khawarij / Mu'tazilah Synonymous with perfect compliance. Total correlation; actions are faith itself. Committing a major sin removes a person from Islam. Why Page 288 Matters to Modern Students of Aqidah
The text emphasizes that faith is a dynamic reality that demands actions, but it is not easily lost through the commission of sin, upholding the mercy and justice of Allah. sharh tahawiyyah page 288
Any philosophy that denies either point falls into heresy. Page 288 thus preserves the prophetic balance — neither fatalistic passivity nor rationalist overreach. Murji'ah (Extreme) Only knowledge or belief in the heart
In several prominent prints of Sharh At-Tahawiyyah , page 288 falls squarely within the critical debate regarding the Quran. The orthodox position defended here is that the Quran is the literal Speech of Allah ( Kalamullah ). It originated from Him in voice and letter, is not created ( Ghayr Makhluq ), and is an essential attribute of His divine essence. The text counters the philosophical arguments that claimed the Quran was merely a created expression or a physical phenomenon separate from God. Navigating Pagination Across Different Editions sinners remain Muslim.
arguments regarding the increase and decrease of faith mentioned in this section? Full text of "Sharh Aqeedah Tahawiyyah" - Internet Archive